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Aurora East USD 131 rolls out school improvement plan focused on proficiency and belonging
Summary
District staff described this year’s school improvement plan (SIP) process, shifting emphasis from growth to proficiency in literacy and math while making a 'culture of belonging' a core metric. Summer professional development and a revised SIP template were presented to the Curriculum Committee.
John Simpson, presenting to the Aurora East USD 131 Curriculum Committee on July 28, said the district is shifting this year’s school improvement plans (SIPs) “beyond growth and focusing on proficiency in both literacy and math” and adding a central emphasis on students’ culture of belonging.
The presentation, which district staff described as an overview of work completed over the summer, said each school was asked to create SMART goals in literacy, numeracy and culture for belonging so that actions are “strategic and intentional and tied to student data.” The district intends the belonging measure to be a central element of each SIP rather than an add‑on.
Zulalia Valdez, executive director for curriculum and instruction, explained the district ran a summer SIP professional development series—three PD sessions plus one workshop day—designed to help school teams finalize plans. Valdez said 223 unique staff attended across 18 sessions and total attendance across sessions was 540. She said the final PD week is scheduled for Aug. 12 and that sites are preparing to launch their site plans.
District staff described the SIP template updates as a “road map” that requires schools to document current data, SMART goals, priority teaching practices, action steps and monitoring data. School leadership teams will review progress every 45 days and present their SIPs at future Curriculum Committee meetings beginning in September.
Committee members thanked staff for the summer work and asked clarifying questions about implementation supports and the role of teacher voice in plan development. No formal action was taken; staff said final SIPs will come forward for board action in August.
The presentation emphasized continuous improvement and district alignment with strategic pillars and ISB metrics, with additional attention to priority subgroups including children with disabilities and English learners.
